This interactive table will differentiate itself from previous technologies by focusing primarily on the manipulation of the users sonic environment via sensor input.

A short simple table surface, performed by sitting on the ground. Approaching from different sides my yield different results. I plan on utilizing a surrounding speaker array, most likely a cube, to create an immersive sound environment.

Sensors/Technologies to pursue as possibilities:

-leap motion

-sharp IR range finders

-kinnect

-FSRs

There are also possibilities of haptic feedback, projected visual feedback, and virtual reality environments to explore.

Smart Privacy: The increase in personal data collected by personal devices and their apps, combined with an increasing presence of “smart” devices in the home has led to new concerns in privacy. The interaction of these two technological entities should be more transparent and easier to understand, especially as new devices are brought in to the home. Perhaps a kind of safety net that announces in simple terms attempts at communication, and warns home owners of potential threats across all home technology.

Emotion Response System: Although the role of computers in predicting and observing the subtleties of human emotion as been found inadequate using facial tracking, this may still be worth pursuing. Behavioral patterns, time spent in different areas of the house, combined with user input, could possibly produce data used in subtle countermeasures to seasonal or situational depression using smart lighting and environmental controls.

Multi-Space Responsive Technology: Recent advancements in voice command devices such as the Amazon Echo have allowed tailored responses to individuals based on voice recognition. To expand the customization of such technology, a multi-room system can help better predict the persons needs based on their location.

Enhanced/Immersed Communication: The mixture of current mediums of communication technology between audio/phone and various video forms creates a confusing set of expectations that can feel unnatural or uncomfortable. In order to create a more comfortable experience in long distance video based communication, possibilities of enhancing or expanding this form of communication should be explored. This could include VR headset interfaces or immersive surround audio.